Features:

  • Superfast Read-Write speeds of up to 540 MB/s
  • Top to bottom metal design that fits in the palm of your hand
  • Optional password protection and AES 256-bit hardware encryption
  • Includes USB Type C to C and USB Type C to A cables
  • 3-Year warranty - Software requires Windows 7, Mac OS X 10.9 (Mavericks), Android 4.4 (KitKat), or higher
Small, Rugged, and Fast. If you need to move a lot of data quickly, then this is it.

Storage devices abound these days. You can put your data on any number of flash media from thumb drives to multiple card formats. In the USB-only category, larger capacity storage has usually be dominated by small hard drives, which deliver decent performance for a low cost. For smaller capacity storage, the thumb drive was a good compromise, very portable and acceptable with USB2. USB3 opened up a new world of performance, and suddenly several things happened - the small hard-drive no longer looked as nice for performance and the price gap was quickly closing with flash in the middle market sizes. But for the larger > 256Gb portable storage sizes, portable flash and internal SSD prices started to converge also. What Samsung has done with the T5 is essentially create an externalized SSD. Speed over USB3.1 simply blows away the thumb drives and the small hard-drives, and the cost per GB hits a sweet spot. If you've got to move a good chunk of data (think video or multi-track audio), or you're tired of your timemachine backups taking six hours, this is your solution. And it's rugged too - I throw mine in the laptop bag and don't even worry about it. Just don't lose it - with the bigger size comes a bigger loss.

A must have for the video editor on the go

Wanted to give this SSD a few "spins" before I reviewed it. Current Setup for reference: Macbook pro 13" (2017) As a video editor I'm always offloading media and dumping several SD cards throughout the day/week, especially when working on a commercial project. The transfer speeds between the internal SSD and the T5 are just quick. I do not use this SSD as a primary backup. I dump the SD card on this SSD, then back up the data on my NAS. What I use this for however (primarily) is to edit video on. Even though the Read/Write speeds on my internal SSD is faster than this device I honestly do not notice any real use case difference, at all. I can edit multiple video projects on this 1TB device as well as having all of the files housed on here during that process without sacrificing any space on my internal SSD. I don't think I could add any other details that others haven't already.

Fast, Lightweight, Portable. It's a Data Storage Dream

Phenomenal little unit. Palm size. Blackmagic Disk Speed Test shows 420 Mbps Read and Write via USB 3.0 on a Mac mini late 2012 with 500Gb Samsung SSD and 16Gb RAM. Accidentally connected to USB 2.0. Boot time went from 18 seconds to 75, and Blackmagic showed 42 & 38 Mbps, so absolutely requires USB 3.0 connection. Runs cool. Apps launch extremely fast. Purchased for $149. No regrets. Would recommend to anyone looking for large expansion and quick read/write.

and it's always loaded up with a few useful tools. It's incredibly small

Kinda stinks knowing how much I paid for the 1TB version of this, and how in a year or two the cost of such a thing will probably be half of what I paid for it, but at least this little thing is a pleasure to use in the meantime. It comes with two USB cables, one standard USB to USB-C, and the other is just USB-C to USB-C - so no matter what type of connections you have, you're covered. The cables even come with velcro straps attached. I work in IT and I keep this thing with me everywhere I go, and it's always loaded up with a few useful tools. It's incredibly small, doesn't weigh much, but still feels durable in the metal housing. Great product.

Utterly Amazed

I'm a music producer, so when it comes to storage and expedience, I try to find something that makes sense and doesn't break the bank. A friend of mine suggested this product to store my samples externally. When he told me about this, and when I was placing the order, I was just thinking that it will be just a tiny boost in loading times for the samples, but when I started using it in projects, it blew my mind right out of the water completely. When they say it's fast, they mean it's fast. Worth the money.

Tiny but powerful tool; versatile & reliable

Bottom line: Works wonderfully and harmoniously across computers. This drive comes with a hardware-based secure log-in system, and when you plug it in you'll see a choice of emulator/"activator" interfaces for login to PC or Mac or device. I ordinarily use it with a Macbook or desktop Mac, but I've guest-visited PC's also, and what happens is: you plug it in and will see the initial choice of platform log-in apps. Choose your OS, click, and enter your password - whatever password you set up initially from your own computer/device, as once you do that your password is hard-wired into the drive, and you can access it from anywhere - if you have the password. Setting up hardware-based encryption/security is optional, by the way. But really simple, and it really works easily across my own computers and ones I've guest-logged into while traveling. Same routine. Bring up system-specific log-in screen, enter password, you're in. Password required every time it's re-installed. Great basic mobile security. For Mac there's a known strangeness, despite full compatibility. When first plugging it in or upon ejecting it, you may see an upper-right-hand corner pop-up saying disk was improperly ejected (last time). Maybe on Windows "safely eject" avoids that, but on Mac you'll likely see it. Not to worry, as long as you're not transferring data while unplugging. (In Mac I "eject" and it looks normal but still will get a pop-up nag about safely ejecting.) What else can I say? I know there's a few reputable makers of 250-500GB SSD portable drives worthy of consideration. (As a scientist, believe me, I read all the reviews and looked at "data", but as a typical computer user I chose based on things like form factor, price, and past experience). So this is my 3rd Samsung T (2 "3"s and one T-5 now). I've had no problem with any of them (thus my collection has expanded). They are fast, reliable, and practical between the various interfaces, portable security protection, and choice of cable/interface. I'm a fan.

Fast

I have a MacBook Pro Retina from 2015 and it only has USB A and Thunderbolt 2 Ports. I couldn't find any external SSDs out on the market that use Thunderbolt 2 so I decided to just get this Samsung T5 and use it over USB A after reading some reviews and specs about performance. After about a couple hours of usage, I can confirm that it has a significantly faster write speed than any external HDD I've used before. File's copy over super fast (about 400MBps average) so it was a breeze to backup 150gb of Photos, Music, Video Projects. Attached is a screenshot of all the free space I reclaimed in a half hour. Another nice plus is that both USB A-C and USB C-C cables are provided. This will be double useful once I get a MacBook with USB-C capabilities!

Fast, Compact, Silent, and Portable.

I was actually surprised at how small and light the drive was when I got it. I'm using it on a 2017 13" MacBook Pro and have it formatted with APFS (Encrypted). While I'm not seeing the quoted average "up to" speeds of 500+ MB/s, they are still impressive (see screenshot). I use this drive for my video editing (scratch disk and saving). It works great for Final Cut Pro and ScreenFlow Pro.

Owns perfect small reliable drive.

Fastest external drive ever! I originally got a USB drive 256GB corsair drive that was supposed to go 480mb a sec. After the multiple tests it failed bad, slower then my older pny elite usb by half 250mb. So I decided to go with Samsung should of done it originally since this one was about the same price for double the storage. I already have a 960 evo and a 850 evo in Alienware laptop r3. Got it and it's durable because Amazon driver threw it up on front porch. Grrrrr tried it and works great! Software is simple and it's password protected. Dont forget the password or your in trouble! I am attaching the benchmark with crystal mark. Overall i would buy it again in a heart beat! A+

I’m absolutely amazed with the total 180° in load times

I slapped this on my PS4 and left it there. Load times are vastly improved. Loading screens really bothered me. No more!!! I’m the first one in game on fortnite. Grand Theft Auto loads too quick for me to get a drink from the kitchen. I’m absolutely amazed with the total 180° in load times. Only thing I regret is debating for years whether or not to get one! 6 month update. Yeah I appreciated this. Good buy. Downloads are faster. Loading screens are quicker. In game runs smoother.

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